Tenant has not transferred their name onto gas and electricity

Jeezz

I have just started renting out a property. Tenant moved in 30 November and as yet have not contacted the utility company to add their names.

Edf will not allow me to do so as landlord. I have already advised them of final meter reading under my own name and asked for a final bill.

Managing agent has chased the tenant a million times, but says they can't do anything else. What else can I do? The online switch says there a multiple points or something and won't allow me to add them.

I have managed to add their names for council tax and water. 

Their tenancy agreement says I can withhold the bond for any outstanding utilities, but with current gas prices, who knows whether or not that will fully cover it.

I've read on another blog of a similar case - and as long as I can prove that there was a tenancy in place, and tenants were liable I should be ok.

Does anyone have any further insight? I was going to just switch them to a pre-payment meter.

welly_59

I've been a tenant for 20 years, and every time the landlord has done all this. I've never had to contact the utility company

Jeezz

welly_59 said:

I've been a tenant for 20 years, and every time the landlord has done all this. I've never had to contact the utility company

Yes, so was I - but EDF are refusing to allow me to add them

Jeezz

Even the water company initially said no, but then added them. Council tax - the local authority demanded I notify them.

So I find it really strange, but perhaps it has got to do with data protection?

anselld

Provided you have closed your account for the period up to the start of tenancy then it is no longer your problem.  If EDF will not accept your notification of tenant details then they will need to obtain themselves by contacting the tenant.  You cannot be held liable for utilities after you have closed your account.

HampshireH

Nothing more you can do. Utilities are their responsibility.

You close your account and the supplier sends a new account letter to the occupier. It goes from there.

You shouldn't be involved any further. You pay your bills and they pay theirs. There isn't any reason why they should keep you updated on their finances/bills.

Not sure how you can keep their deposit for bills after unless they are bills owed to you. 

When you resume responsibility of bills at the end you will set up new accounts in your name with opening readings. Any debt will remain your tenants.

I don't understand the comment about switching your tenants to prepayment.

Jeezz

HampshireH said:

Nothing more you can do. Utilities are their responsibility.

You close your account and the supplier sends a new account letter to the occupier. It goes from there.

You shouldn't be involved any further. You pay your bills and they pay theirs. There isn't any reason why they should keep you updated on their finances/bills.

Not sure how you can keep their deposit for bills after unless they are bills owed to you. 

When you resume responsibility of bills at the end you will set up new accounts in your name with opening readings. Any debt will remain your tenants.

I don't understand the comment about switching your tenants to prepayment.

But my question is, what if they do not provide their details? So it is neither in my name or their name?

Any debt that has accrued won't be their responsibility if they have not put their name on the bill?

Prepayment meter, where they have to top up money to use gas and electricity 

Keep_pedalling

Despite not contacting EFT your tenants have had a deemed contract with them from the moment they moved in, the problem is EDF’s not yours. 

JReacher1

I wouldn’t switch them to a prepayment metre. 

I don’t think it’s really your problem. You’ve closed your account with EDF so that is it now.

HampshireH

I'm aware what prepayment is. I didn't really understand what you intended to do with it.

You have no right to request prepayment meters go into the property whilst your tenants are living there.

If the bills don't get paid then then the supplier may install prepayment meters on a warrant.

As a landlord it's not your business until they leave. Even then their bills are not your business.

Jeezz

Keep_pedalling said:

Despite not contacting EFT your tenants have had a deemed contract with them from the moment they moved in, the problem is EDF’s not yours. 

Ok, if that is the case I will stop stressing. Will they eventually cut supply, or is this deemed an essential service?